For homeowners in Pasadena, CA, understanding sewer line repairs is essential. Why? Because the systems that carry wastewater away from homes directly impact the day-to-day lives of the residents living there and the value of their properties. Most sewer lines are installed underground, which is where conditions are prime for corrosion, thanks to moisture, air, and no sunlight. When sewer lines begin to reach the end of their expected lifespan, which is somewhere around 30 to 40 years (if they were well made and placed under good conditions), the kinds of problems that necessitate urgent and immediate repairs to the sewer line tend to crop up. Not only do the lines start to rust and corrode, but things like roots from your bay tree, which is just next door, start to worm their way into your sewer line. Along with another problem found with some of the sewer lines installed in Pasadena, which is that they're made of transite (a concrete-asbestos mix that also has a tendency to fail when it shouldn't), problems with aging sewer lines are the Number One reason why homeowners in Pasadena tend to find themselves in the position of having to repair their sewer lines.
Environmental factors also play a vital role in sewer line concerns for Pasadena homeowners. The area is famous for its seismic activity, which can shift the ground in ways that disrupt sewer lines. Even minor earth movements can cause pipes to crack or misalign, leading them to potential leaks and backups. Heavy rainstorms, a common occurrence in Southern California, can pour so much water in such a short amount of time that even the newest sewer systems can struggle to handle it all. When rain falls on hills, the water usually travels underground and comes out in unexpected places, including under some homes. These underground rivers can work their way right into the plumbing, mixing with the already overwhelmed sewer system and sending it into partial or total failure.
Another key factor concerning Pasadena homeowners and sewer line repairs is money. The actual expense of repairs can run the gamut from minimal to quite substantial, with the final amount often hinging on a few key variables: the size and scope of the actual disaster, the methods used to effect repairs, and how the contractors price their particular services.
The most direct approach—"just digging in and getting to work," as Michael puts it—can be effective, but it can also be very expensive, disruptive, and damaging to landscaping. The crews can get the work done, but it isn't pretty; when the job's done, it can look like a disaster relief crew had a go at your front lawn.
Fortunately, there are modern trenchless options that cost quite a bit less, are far less disruptive to personal landscaping, and provide a way to effect repairs that tends to require much less clean-up afterward.
